Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for gastric maltoma was also denied, but the issue is being remanded.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial disability evaluation for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy (trigeminal neuralgia) of the face. The case has been remanded due to procedural issues and needs further development.

The Veteran's right hand disability, characterized by residual ulnar nerve neuropathy following a fracture, does not warrant a higher rating as the range of motion and neurological findings are essentially normal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and updated treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy with kidney failure requiring renal dialysis, diabetic retinopathy of the eyes, and diabetic neuropathy. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his active duty, either direct or presumptive.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 10 percent, as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied as his erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to a lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was therefore not exposed to herbicides. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and cardiovascular disease (CAD) cannot be granted based on presumptive exposure or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 10 percent before April 5, 2010 and at 20 percent effective April 5, 2010. The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with aggravated essential hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions and any other potentially related conditions contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not related to his active service and was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral leg and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, meeting the threshold requirement for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he has worked in property management and self-employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including nerve damage and generalized peripheral neuropathy, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner opined that the current condition is less likely due to a right shoulder injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in his need for regular aid and attendance, including the inability to dress or undress himself, the inability to attend to his hygiene, the need to frequently adjust any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, the inability to feed himself or attend to the wants of nature, the incapacity to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment; and the Veteran is not bedridden.